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Sprint launches wireline business division, taps company veteran Fitz to lead division

Sprint (NYSE: S) has launched a new wireline business unit to provide a set of IP-based services to global business customers, illustrating its dedication to the industry segment.

The new Global Wireline Business Unit will be led by company veteran Mike Fitz, who will serve as the business unit's VP and general manager. A ten-year company veteran, Fitz previously served as VP of the service provider's Solutions Engineering department.

This new division will include a dedicated set of sales representatives and solutions engineers who sell, design, implement and support wireline solutions for business customers. The group will partner with the Sprint wireless sales representatives to provide what it says is "a fully integrated approach to communications needs for business customers."

Serving as the foundation for the new unit is Sprint's global IP/MPLS network, which the company uses as the backbone for its wireless and wireless traffic. The MPLS network will continue to be used to provide a suite of converged and cloud services. Sprint noted that most of its largest business customers purchase wireline and wireless services.

Customers will also be able to get access to Sprint's Compass Management Web Portal, a web-based network management tools that provide customers detailed insight into their network, performance, and services.

This new unit reaffirms that the service provider is dedicated to retaining the wireline business.

Sprint's CEO Marcelo Claure, told investors during its second quarter earnings call in 2014 that it was open to selling the wireline assets so it focus exclusively on its wireless business.

Claure later changed his tune in early 2015, telling investors during its fourth quarter 2014 earnings call that the wireline business is strategic in letting it compete in the wireless business.

At that time, Claure said that Sprint will use the wireline network to deliver MPLS-based solutions to Sprint's business customers. "Going forward, we expect to place a greater focus and emphasis on MPLS solutions," Claure said during the earnings call.